Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 26, 1995 TAG: 9510260025
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Landmark News Service
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium
Lonnie Glieberman, president and majority owner of the Louisiana team, said he would announce a season-ticket drive within two weeks. If enough tickets are sold, Glieberman said he expects to be in Foreman Field for the 1996 season.
Glieberman said he hasn't decided on a ticket goal, but 10,000 is a ballpark figure.
Glieberman acknowledged the team probably will move from Shreveport, where attendance dwindled last season, and that Hampton Roads is his No.1 choice. Glieberman said he also has visited Miami, Dallas, Orlando, Fla., and Milwaukee, but ``if people here say they want it, if the ticket drive succeeds, then we'll be here.''
The location would be the third in four years for Glieberman, who sold the Ottawa Roughriders two years ago, purchased an expansion franchise and moved it to Shreveport.
Glieberman has lost more than $10 million on both franchises. The city of Ottawa is suing Glieberman for $150,000 it says it is owed. Glieberman has put $150,000 in an escrow account, but is contesting the lawsuit.
Pirates coach Forrest Gregg and his wife accompanied Glieberman on what will be a weeklong trip to Hampton Roads. Gregg, a former Green Bay Packers star and Pro Football Hall of Famer, spent much of Monday and Tuesday scouting potential training sites in Virginia Beach.
His wife, Barbara, scouted potential houses for the Gregg family.
All three joined Pirates general counsel Spencer Steel on Wednesday in inspecting Foreman Field and continuing a series of meetings with area government and business leaders.
Glieberman, on his third trip to Hampton Roads in less than two months, made his impromptu announcement at a forum at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott on the subject of bringing major-league sports to Hampton Roads. The forum featured host Joel Rubin, and panelists Jeff Sias of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, Hampton Roads Admirals owner Blake Cullen, Page Johnson of the Hampton Roads Mariners and Norfolk Tides, and Virginian-Pilot columnist Bob Molinaro.
However, once Glieberman was introduced, he took center stage as panelists and audience alike pelted him with questions.
Gregg, on his first trip to Hampton Roads, said he was impressed.
``If tonight is indicative of the interest in sports in this area, I think a franchise would have an excellent chance of succeeding,'' he said. ``From what I have seen, this is an area that's very, very hungry for professional football.''
Hired by the Chamber of Commerce to recruit sports teams and events to Hampton Roads, Sias will spend most of the week with Glieberman.
``So far, we like what we see'' of Glieberman, Sias said.
Cullen, whose team likely would be hurt by a CFL team, nonetheless endorsed the concept.
``I've always thought the CFL would work here,'' he said. ``I see no reason why it wouldn't work.''
Plenty of hurdles remain for Glieberman. If the ticket drive is successful, he must receive permission from the CFL to move to Hampton Roads.
Foreman Field, which seats 25,400, could be an obstacle. The stadium has inadequate press, locker room, restroom and concession facilities for the CFL. Moreover, its field is shorter than CFL standards. An exception would have to be made to allow the Pirates to play there.
That vote likely will come in January at the CFL's board of governors meeting.
``This community has so many positives in its favor,'' Glieberman said. ``The only negative is the facility. If we go to the meeting with 15,000 season-ticket holders, then they would say fine. If we have 4,000, they would say no.''
Glieberman also must work out a lease with Old Dominion University, which owns the stadium. And if improvements are needed to Foreman Field, it is not known who would pay.
Glieberman acknowledged Foreman Field can be only a temporary home for the Pirates. He said if the CFL team is successful, area cities must combine to build a 40,000-seat stadium. The Sports Authority of Hampton Roads has estimated that the minimum price for a stadium that size would be $40 million.
Glieberman said it wouldn't be financially feasible for him or any CFL owner to finance a stadium.
by CNB